Rafael Benitez's new Liverpool team made a statement not only for themselves in Spain but also for their manager.

Benitez returned to his homeland for the first time since his shock departure from champions Valencia more than aware his decision to swap La Liga for the Barclays Premiership had been more than doubted by his countrymen critics.

But a defiant 1-0 victory over Deportivo La Coruna in the usually intimidating Estadio Riazor has made more than a few of those critics eat their words.

With precious little money to spend and a side stripped of star performers Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Djibril Cisse, Benitez called up the support staff and earned a victory which means if Liverpool defeat Monaco away later this month a place in the second phase is theirs.

What he has produced is a squad which seem more united than in the latter months under Gerard Houllier.

He said: "We had problems before the game with players being injured, but what is important is that when the other players do get into the side they show what they can do."